Exercise training device

ABSTRACT

An exercise training device includes a first support portion defining a first side that supports a user and having a first coefficient of friction. The first support portion includes a second side located opposite the first side. The exercise training device includes a second support portion defining a third side that is attached to the second side of the first support portion, and a fourth side, located opposite the third side, that is in contact with the surface upon which the exercise training device is supported. The fourth side has a second coefficient of friction that is less than the first coefficient of friction. In response to a force applied by the user to the first side along a direction that is parallel to the first plane, the fourth side is moves with respect to the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/222,324, filed on Sep. 23, 2015, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant application is generally directed towards an exercisetraining device. For example, the instant application is directedtowards an exercise training device for assisting an athlete with properfoot positioning.

BACKGROUND

Exercise training devices may be used to help athletes. Exercisetraining devices may be used, for example, to help athletes train in avariety of different sports.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key factors oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an example, an exercise training device comprises a first supportportion extending along a first plane that is substantially parallel toa surface upon which the exercise training device is supported. Thefirst support portion defines a first side that is configured to supporta user. The first side has a first coefficient of friction. The firstsupport portion defines a second side located opposite the first side. Asecond support portion extends along a second plane that issubstantially parallel to the first plane. The second support portiondefines a third side that is attached to the second side of the firstsupport portion and a fourth side, located opposite the third side, thatis in contact with the surface upon which the exercise training deviceis supported. The fourth side has a second coefficient of friction thatis less than the first coefficient of friction. In response to a forceapplied by the user to the first side along a direction that is parallelto the first plane, the fourth side is configured to move with respectto the surface

In another example, an exercise training device comprises a firstsupport portion extending along a first plane that is substantiallyparallel to a surface upon which the exercise training device issupported. The first support portion defines a first side that isconfigured to support a user. The first side has a first coefficient offriction. The first support portion comprises a second side locatedopposite the first side. A second support portion extends along a secondplane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The secondsupport portion defines a third side that faces the second side of thefirst support portion. A fourth side, located opposite the third side,is in contact with the surface upon which the exercise training deviceis supported. The fourth side has a second coefficient of friction thatis less than the first coefficient of friction. A third support portionextends along a third plane that is substantially parallel to the firstplane. The third support portion defines a fifth side that is attachedto the second side of the first support portion, and a sixth side thatis attached to the third side of the second support portion. In responseto a force applied by the user to the first side along a direction thatis parallel to the first plane, the fourth side is configured to movewith respect to the surface

In another example, an exercise training device comprises a firstsupport portion extending along a first plane that is substantiallyparallel to a surface upon which the exercise training device issupported. The first support portion defines a first opening. The firstsupport portion defines a first side that is configured to support auser. The first side has a first coefficient of friction a second sideis located opposite the first side. A second support portion extendsalong a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane.The second support portion defines a second opening. The second supportportion defines a third side that faces the second side of the firstsupport portion and a fourth side, located opposite the third side, thatis in contact with the surface upon which the exercise training deviceis supported. The fourth side has a second coefficient of friction thatis less than the first coefficient of friction. The first supportportion and the second support portion are configured to receive afastener through the first opening and the second opening to attach thefirst support portion and the second support portion to one another. Inresponse to a force applied by the user to the first side along adirection that is parallel to the first plane, the fourth side isconfigured to move with respect to the surface due to the secondcoefficient of friction

The following description and annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but afew of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed.Other aspects, advantages, and/or novel features of the disclosure willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when consideredin conjunction with the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example training device;

FIG. 2 is a sectional illustration of an example training device;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of an example training device;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a portion of an example training device;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example training device; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, theattachment of a first feature and a second feature in the descriptionthat follows may include embodiments in which the first feature and thesecond feature are attached in direct contact, and may also includeembodiments in which additional features may be positioned between thefirst feature and the second feature, such that the first feature andthe second feature may not be in direct contact. In addition, thepresent disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in thevarious examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity andclarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between thevarious embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exercise training device 100 is provided forathletic training in a variety of sports. In an example, the exercisetraining device 100 could be used for football training, such asassisting offensive linemen with footwork and maintaining balance whilemoving/sliding laterally and keeping a relatively low center of gravity.In an example training technique, one foot substantially slides alongthe ground without being lifted off the ground (or merely lifted a minoramount), while the other foot is repeatedly picked up and placed on theground for movement of the lineman. In an example, the foot that isrepeatedly picked up and put down is a forward foot (e.g., proximate theline of scrimmage) while the foot that slides is rearward (e.g., distalfrom the line of scrimmage). In this way, a user may stand on theexercise training device 100 with one foot, while pushing with the otherfoot to cause the exercise training device 100 to slide along a surface(e.g., the ground).

Referring to FIG. 2, a sectional view of the exercise training device100 is illustrated. In an example, the exercise training device 100comprises a first support portion 200 and a second support portion 202.The exercise training device 100 may be supported on a surface 204, suchas the ground, a playing surface (e.g., a turf field, a grass field,etc.), etc. A user may place one foot on the first support portion 200,while the second support portion 202 remains in contact with the surface204. In response to a force applied by the user, the exercise trainingdevice 100 may move with respect to the surface 204.

In an example, the first support portion 200 and the second supportportion 202 may have substantially the same cross-sectional shape. In anexample, the first support portion 200 and the second support portion202 may have substantially the same cross-sectional size. For example,the first support portion 200 and the second support portion 202 mayhave a circular shape, though other shapes (e.g., oval shapes,quadrilateral shapes, etc.) are envisioned.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sectional view of the first support portion 200is illustrated. It will be appreciated that the first support portion200 and the second support portion 202 are illustrated separately inFIGS. 3 and 4 for the purposes of illustration. However, in operation,the first support portion 200 and the second support portion 202 may beattached in a manner similar to the example of FIG. 2. The first supportportion 200 may extend along a first plane 300 that is substantiallyparallel to the surface 204 (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 2) upon which theexercise training device 100 is supported. In an example, the firstsupport portion 200 defines a first side 302 and a second side 304. Thefirst side 302 may be positioned to face away from the surface 204 whilethe second side 304 may be positioned to face towards the surface 204.

The first side 302 is configured to support a user, such as the foot ofa user. In an example, the first side 302 may have a first coefficientof friction. For example, all or some of the first support portion 200,including the first side 302 of the first support portion 200, maycomprise an elastomeric material having the first coefficient offriction. A material may be chosen such that the first coefficient offriction may contribute to a substantially non-slip surface. As such, auser's foot is limited from inadvertently moving or slipping withrespect to the first side 302. The second side 304 may be locatedopposite the first side 302. In an example, the first side 302 and thesecond side 304 may be substantially flat/planar and extend parallel toeach other.

The first support portion 200 may define a first opening 306. In anexample, the first opening 306 may extend through the first side 302 andthe second side 304 in a direction that is substantially perpendicularto the first plane 300. The first opening 306 may be sized to receive afastener (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.) that may attach the first supportportion 200 and the second support portion 202 to one another. The firstopening 306 at the first side 302 may have tapered sidewalls to allowfor the head of a fastener (e.g., screw, bolt, etc.) to be substantiallyflush with respect to the first side 302. The tapered sidewalls thatdefine the first opening 306 at the first side 302 can substantiallymatch a size and/or shape of the head of the fastener.

In an example, an outer edge 310 of the first support portion 200 mayextend non-linearly between the first side 302 and the second side 304.The outer edge 310 may comprise one or more outer walls, such as a firstouter wall 312, a second outer wall 314, a third outer wall 316, and afourth outer wall 318. In an example, the first outer wall 312 mayextend at an angle from the first side 302, and may form an angle withrespect to the first plane 300 that is between about 30 degrees to about60 degrees. In an example, the second outer wall 314 may be attached atan end to the first outer wall 312, with the second outer wall 314extending substantially perpendicularly to the first plane 300. In anexample, the third outer wall 316 may be attached at an end to thesecond outer wall 314 (e.g., opposite the first outer wall 312), withthe third outer wall 316 extending substantially parallel to the firstplane 300. The third outer wall 316 may extend substantially parallel tothe first side 302 and the second side 304, while being disposed betweenthe first side 302 and the second side 304. In an example, the fourthouter wall 318 may be attached at one end to the third outer wall 316(e.g., opposite the second outer wall 314) and another end to the secondside 304, with the fourth outer wall 318 extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the first plane 300, the first side 302, and thesecond side 304. In an example, the fourth outer wall 318 may extendsubstantially parallel to the second outer wall 314.

In an example, the non-linear outer edge 310 can be provided so as toallow for a relatively smooth taper along the perimeter of the firstsupport portion 200.

Referring to FIG. 4, a sectional view of the second support portion 202is illustrated. The second support portion 202 may extend along a secondplane 400 that is substantially parallel to the surface 204 upon whichthe exercise training device 100 is supported and to the first plane300. In an example, the second support portion 202 defines a third side402 and a fourth side 404. The third side 402 may be positioned to faceaway from the surface 204 while the fourth side 404, located oppositethe third side 402, may be positioned to face towards the surface 204.In an example, the third side 402 is configured to be attached to thesecond side 304 of the first support portion 200 while the fourth side404 may be in contact with the surface 204.

In an example, the fourth side 404 may have a second coefficient offriction. For example, all or some of the second support portion 202,including the fourth side 404 of the second support portion 202, maycomprise a polyethylene material having the second coefficient offriction. A material may be chosen such that the second coefficient offriction may contribute to the fourth side 404 having low friction,allowing for the fourth side 404 to move with respect to the surface204. In an example, the third side 402 and the fourth side 404 may besubstantially flat/planar and extend parallel to each other. The fourthside 404 of the second support portion 202 is not limited to apolyethylene material, and in an example, the fourth side 404 maycomprise other plastic materials, metal materials, composites, etc.

The second support portion 202 may define a second opening 406. In anexample, the second opening 406 may extend through the third side 402towards the fourth side 404 in a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the second plane 400. The second opening 406 may besized to receive the fastener that may attach the first support portion200 and the second support portion 202 to one another. In an example, inresponse to a force applied by the user to the first side 302 along adirection that is parallel to the first plane 300 and the second plane400, the fourth side 404 is configured to move with respect to thesurface 204, thus causing the user's foot and the exercise trainingdevice 100 to move with respect to the surface 204.

The second support portion 202 may comprise a first wall 410 and asecond wall 412. In an example, the first wall 410 may extend along thesecond plane 400 and may define the third side 402 of the second supportportion 202. The first wall 410 may be substantially flat/planar. Thesecond wall 412 may be attached to the first wall 410 and may extend ina direction that is substantially perpendicular to the second plane 400.In an example, the second wall 412 may extend along an outer perimeter418 of the first wall 410, such that the second wall 412 defines asubstantially circular shape. The second wall 412 may define a supportopening 414 located at an interior of the second support portion 202.The support opening 414 may be bounded along an outer side by the secondwall 412. In an example, the first support portion 200 may be receivedwithin the support opening 414 of the second support portion 202.

In an example, an outer edge 420 of the second support portion 202 mayextend non-linearly between the third side 402 and the fourth side 404.The outer edge 420 may comprise one or more outer walls, such as an edgewall 422. In an example, the edge wall 422 may extend at an anglebetween the second wall 412 and the fourth side 404, and may form anangle 424 with respect to the second plane 400 that is between about 20degrees to about 70 degrees. In an example, the edge wall 422 may beattached at one end to the second wall 412 and at an opposing end to thefourth side 404. In this way, an outer edge of the fourth side 404 maybe located inwardly from an outer edge of the second wall 412. As such,the angle 424 may limit the likelihood of the fourth side 404inadvertently catching on the surface 204 and/or another object as theexercise training device 100 moves with respect to the surface 204.

Turning to FIG. 5, a second example exercise training device 500 isillustrated. The exercise training device 500 may comprise a firstsupport portion 502, a second support portion 504, and a third supportportion 506. The exercise training device 500 may be supported on thesurface 204. A user may place one foot on the first support portion 502,while the second support portion 504 remains in contact with the surface204. In response to a force applied by the user, the exercise trainingdevice 100 may move with respect to the surface 204.

The first support portion 502 may extend along a first plane 508. In anexample, the first support portion 502 may define a first side 510 and asecond side 512. The first side 510 may be positioned to face away fromthe surface 204 while the second side 512 may be positioned to facetowards the surface 204. The first side 510 may support the user and mayhave the first coefficient of friction. The second side 512 may belocated opposite the first side 510. In an example, the first side 302and the second side 304 may be substantially flat/planar and extendparallel to each other.

The first support portion 502 may have a first outer edge 514 that islocated along an outer perimeter of the first support portion 502. Thefirst outer edge 514 may extend non-parallel to and non-perpendicular tothe first plane 508. For example, the first outer edge 514 may form afirst angle 516 with respect to the first plane 508 that is betweenabout 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In an example, the first supportportion 502 may comprise a first opening (not illustrated in FIG. 5, butthe first opening may be similar to the opening illustrated in FIG. 2, 3or 4) that is similar to the first opening 306 illustrated in FIG. 3.The first opening may extend through the first support portion 502between the first side 510 and the second side 512, with the firstopening capable of receiving a fastener.

The second support portion 504 may extend along a second plane 520. Inan example, the second support portion 504 may define a third side 522and a fourth side 524. The third side 522 may be positioned to face awayfrom the surface 204 while the fourth side 524, located opposite thethird side 522, may be positioned to face towards the surface 204. In anexample, the third side 522 is configured to be attached to the secondside 512 of the first support portion 502 while the fourth side 524 maybe in contact with the surface 204. It will be appreciated that thethird side 522 may be attached directly to the second side 512 (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 2), or may be indirectly attached to the second side512 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5). For example, in FIG. 5, the thirdside 522 may be attached to the third support portion 506, with thethird support portion attached to the second side 512. In an example,the third side 522 and the fourth side 524 may be substantiallyflat/planar and extend parallel to each other. In an example, the fourthside 524 may have the second coefficient of friction.

The second support portion 202 may define a second opening 526. In anexample, the second opening 526 may extend through the third side 522towards the fourth side 524 in a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the second plane 520. The second opening 526 may besized to receive the fastener that may attach the first support portion502, the second support portion 504 and the third support portion 506 toone another. In an example, the second support portion 202 may have asecond opening edge 528 that defines a perimeter of the second opening526. The second opening edge 528 may extend between the second opening526 and the fourth side 524. In an example, the second opening edge 528may form an angle with respect to the second plane 520 that is betweenabout 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.

The second support portion 504 may have a second outer edge 530 that islocated along an outer perimeter of the second support portion 504. Thesecond outer edge 530 may extend non-parallel to and non-perpendicularto the second plane 520. For example, the second outer edge 530 may forma second angle 532 with respect to the second plane 520 that is betweenabout 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. In an example, in response to aforce applied by the user to the first side 510 along a direction thatis parallel to the first plane 508 and the second plane 520, the fourthside 524 is configured to move with respect to the surface 204, thuscausing the user's foot and the exercise training device 500 to movewith respect to the surface 204.

The third support portion 506 may extend along a third plane 550 that issubstantially parallel to the first plane 508 and the second plane 520.In an example, the third support portion 506 may define a fifth side 552and a sixth side 554. The fifth side 552 may be positioned to face awayfrom the surface 204 while the sixth side 554, located opposite thefifth side 552, may be positioned to face towards the surface 204.

In an example, the fifth side 552 may be attached to the second side 512of the first support portion 502. The sixth side 554 may be attached tothe third side 522 of the second support portion 504. In this way, thethird support portion 506 may be positioned between the first supportportion 502 and the second support portion 504. The third supportportion 506 may function to attach the first support portion 502 to thesecond support portion 504. In an example, the first support portion502, the second support portion 504, and the third support portion 506may have substantially the same cross-sectional size and shape. Forexample, the first support portion 502, the second support portion 504,and the third support portion 506 may have a circular shape, thoughother shapes (e.g., oval shapes, quadrilateral shapes, etc.) areenvisioned.

In an example, the third support portion 506 comprises a material havinga relatively high degree of rigidity and inflexibility so as to providesupport to the exercise training device 500. By comprising therelatively rigid material, the third support portion 506 may support thefirst support portion 502 and the second support portion 504 so as tolimit the likelihood of inadvertent bending, folding, bowing, or othertypes of deformation to the exercise training device 500 that mayotherwise occur as a result of supporting the weight of a user. In anexample, the third support portion 506 comprises a metal material thathas a higher degree of rigidity than the first support portion 502and/or the second support portion 504. The third support portion 506 isnot limited to comprising a metal material, and in an example, maycomprise a polymeric material, such as plastic, composite materials,etc.

The third support portion 506 may comprise a third outer edge 560 thatextends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the third plane550. In an example, the third outer edge 560 can be adjacent to thefirst outer edge 514 at one end and to the second outer edge 530 at anopposing end. In an example, the third outer edge 560 can define anoutermost radial location of the exercise training device 500, with thethird support portion 506 having a maximum cross-sectional size. Thatis, a cross-sectional size (e.g., diameter in this example) of the thirdsupport portion 506 may be larger than a cross-sectional size of thefirst support portion 502 and/or the second support portion 504.

The third support portion 506 may define a third opening that extendsthrough the third support portion 506 between the fifth side 552 and thesixth side 554. The third opening is configured to receive a fastenertherethrough. In an example, the fastener can function to attach thefirst support portion 502, the second support portion 504, and the thirdsupport portion 506. For example, the fastener can be positioned toextend through the first opening in the first support portion 502, thesecond opening 526 in the second support portion 504, and the thirdopening in the third support portion 506. The fastener may comprise ascrew, a bolt, a nut, etc. In an example, the exercise training devices100, 500 may comprise one or more fasteners to attach the supportportions. While twelve fasteners are illustrated with respect to theexercise training device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, any number offasteners are envisioned.

It will be appreciated that the exercise training devices 100, 500 arenot limited to incorporating fasteners as an attachment means forattaching the support portions. Rather, any number of different types offasteners may be provided. For example, the exercise training devices100, 500 may comprise adhesives for attaching the support portions. Inan example, the exercise training devices 100, 500 may comprise alocking or snap-fit structure, such as a twist-in-place locking meansthat removably locks the support portions. In another example, theexercise training devices 100, 500 may be provided as a unitary, singlepiece body that has a first side (e.g., a top side) having the firstcoefficient of friction and a fourth side (e.g., a bottom side) havingthe second coefficient of friction.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example operation of the exercise trainingdevice 100 is illustrated. It will be appreciated that while theexercise training device 100 is illustrated in FIG. 6, a similaroperation can occur with the exercise training device 500.

In an example, a user can stand upon the exercise training device 100,such as by placing his or her foot 600 onto the first support portion200. The user's foot 600 can be supported on the first side 302 of thefirst support portion 200 while the fourth side 404 of the secondsupport portion 202 can rest upon the surface 204 (e.g., the ground, aplaying surface, etc.). Due to the first coefficient of friction of thefirst side 302 (e.g., being relatively high, which is indicative of arough surface or surface with a higher amount of friction), the user'sfoot 600 tends not to move with respect to the first side 302. That is,when the user's foot 600 rests upon the exercise training device 100,the user's foot 600 is substantially maintained in place with respect tothe first side 302. Due to the second coefficient of friction of thesecond side 304 (e.g., being relatively low, which is indicative of asmoother surface or a surface with a lower amount of friction), theexercise training device 100 can move freely with respect to the surface204. That is, in response to a force applied by the user's foot 600 tothe exercise training device 100, the exercise training device 100 canmove with respect to the surface 204. In this way, due to the differencebetween the first coefficient of friction of the first side 302 and thesecond coefficient of friction of the fourth side 404, the user's foot600 may tend not to move with respect to the exercise training device100 while the exercise training device 100 may tend to move with respectto the surface 204.

In an example, a user can place a first foot 600 (e.g., a right foot ora left foot) on the exercise training device 100. The user can place asecond foot (e.g., the other of the right foot or the left foot) on thesurface 204, and apply a force to the surface 204. This force can allowfor the first foot 600 to apply a corresponding force along a firstdirection 602 to the exercise training device 100. The force applied bythe user's foot 600 to the exercise training device 100. along the firstdirection 602 can cause the exercise training device 100 to move alongthe first direction 602, such as by causing movement of the fourth side404 with respect to the surface 204.

In an example operation, the first side 302 of the first support portion200 accommodates a (e.g., rearward) foot of an offensive lineman, whilethe fourth side 404 of the second support portion 202 contacts thesurface 204 (e.g., football field, grass, dirt, artificial turf, etc.).The relatively higher coefficient of friction of the first side 302inhibits movement of the foot 600 relative to the exercise trainingdevice 100, while the relatively lower coefficient of friction of thefourth side 404 promotes movement of the exercise training device 100relative to the ground. Accordingly, the exercise training device 100facilitates (e.g., lateral) movement of the lineman by maintaining onefoot (e.g., rearward foot) on the exercise training device 100 while theexercise training device 100 moves/slides along the surface 204responsive to force generated between the other foot (e.g., forwardfoot) of the lineman and the surface 204.

The exercise training devices 100, 500 illustrated herein comprise onlysome possible examples of embodiments. Indeed, in an example, theexercise training devices 100, 500 may comprise other features,structures, components, etc. that may assist with operation. Forexample, the exercise training devices 100, 500 may comprise one or moreattachment structures that can attach the user's foot 600 to theexercise training devices 100, 500 in a more secure manner. For example,the attachment structures may comprise straps that can attach the user'sfoot 600 to the first side 302. The straps may comprise, for example, ahook and loop fastener, a locking fastener, etc. to adjustably receivethe user's foot 600. In an example, the user can place his/her foot 600into the straps when using the exercise training devices 100, 500, andcan detach or unlock the straps when the user intends to remove his/herfoot 600 from the exercise training devices 100, 500.

In an example, the exercise training devices 100, 500 may comprise oneor more surface features on the first side 302 of the exercise trainingdevices 100, 500 to further facilitate attachment between the user'sfoot 600 and the exercise training devices 100, 500. For example, thefirst side 302 can define a recess, a depression, or an opening that issized and/or shaped to match a size or shape of the user's foot 600. Therecess may be defined by one or more sidewalls on the first side 302. Inan example operation, the user can place his/her foot 600 into therecess on the first side 302, and during movement of the exercisetraining devices 100, 500, the user's foot 600 is substantially limitedfrom moving with respect to the first side 302. However, in the eventthat the user's foot 600 inadvertently moves with respect to the firstside 302, the user's foot 600 can contact one or more of the sidewallsthat define the recess, thus restricting the user's foot 600 to beinglocated within the recess.

In an example, the exercise training devices 100, 500 may comprise afriction adjustment to adjust the second coefficient of friction of thefourth side 404. For example, movement/adjustment of the first supportportion 200 with respect to the second support portion 202 can adjustthe coefficient of friction of the fourth side 404, by increasing ordecreasing the coefficient of friction of the fourth side 404. In anexample, the first support portion 200 can be tightened with respect tothe second support portion 202 to a degree that causes ends of thefasteners to protrude through the fourth side 404. The protrudingfasteners can contact the surface 204, thus increasing the degree offriction between the exercise training devices 100, 500 and the surface204. In a similar example, tightening of the first support portion 200with respect to the second support portion 202 can cause otherprotruding structures (e.g., barbs, tips, spurs, spikes, etc.) toprotrude downwardly from the fourth side 404. These protrudingstructures can contact the surface 204, thus increasing the degree offriction between the exercise training devices 100, 500 and the surface204.

The first support portion 200 is not limited to being tightened withrespect to the second support portion 202 by the fasteners. Rather, inan example, the first support portion 200 and the second support portion202 may be threadingly attached, such that rotation of the first supportportion 200 with respect to the second support portion 202 in a firstrotational direction can cause the protruding structures or fasteners toextend further out of the fourth side 404. Rotating of the first supportportion 200 with respect to the second support portion 202 in anopposing second rotational direction can cause the protruding structuresor fasteners to retract into the fourth side 404, thus lowering thecoefficient of friction of the fourth side 404.

In an example, rotation of the exercise training devices 100, 500 canadjust the second coefficient of friction of the fourth side 404. In anexample, the fourth side 404 may comprise one or more friction features,such as scores, scales, cuts, etc. These friction features mayfacilitate easier movement in one direction than another direction(e.g., by establishing a grain of sorts on the fourth side 404). Forexample, the friction features may be oriented at an angle (e.g.,scores, scales, cuts that may be angled with respect to the fourth side404 and/or the second plane along which the second support portionextends). By being angled, the friction features can provide for adifferent coefficient of friction for when the exercise training devices100, 500 moves in a first direction (e.g., against the grain) than whenthe exercise training devices 100, 500 moves in an opposing seconddirection (e.g., with the grain or against the grain to a lesserdegree). As such, in an example, when a user moves the exercise trainingdevice 100, 500 along the second direction, the second coefficient offriction may be lower (e.g., because, given the direction of travel, theangled friction features may dig into the ground to a lesser degree(e.g., be oriented, angled, etc. relative to the ground so as to diginto the ground, given the direction of travel, to a lesser degree)),thus allowing for relatively easier movement of the exercise trainingdevice 100, 500 in the second direction. However, when the user movesthe exercise training device 100, 500 along the first direction that maybe substantially opposite the second direction, the second coefficientof friction may be higher (e.g., because, given the direction of travel,the angled friction features may dig into the ground to a greater degree(e.g., be oriented, angled, etc. relative to the ground so as to diginto the ground, given the direction of travel, to a greater degree)),thus allowing for relatively more difficult movement of the exercisetraining device 100, 500 in the first direction. Providing for variableresistance to movement may be beneficial to the user to allow forpractice with the exercise training device 100, 500 with varying degreesof ease or difficulty at which the exercise training device 100, 500 canbe moved.

In an example, an orientation between a user's foot 600 or the firstsupport portion 200 (upon which the user's foot rests) and the secondsupport portion 202 may be selectively adjusted to vary the relationshipbetween the friction features and the surface 204 (e.g., ground) to makeit more or less difficult for the user to move the exercise trainingdevice 100, 500 along the surface 204 (e.g., ground). In an example,straps and/or other feature(s) which fix an orientation of the user'sfoot 600 to the exercise training device 100, 500 may be able to pivot,rotate, click (e.g., rod/hole) into various angular or radial positions,etc. relative to the exercise training device 100, 500 so that theorientation of the user's foot 600 relative to the friction features isadjustable. Additionally or alternatively, in an example, the firstsupport portion 200 and the second support portion 202 may be (e.g.,rotationally) adjustable relative to one another (e.g., by pivoting,threading, etc. around a central axis, shaft, etc., by removing,retracting, etc. snaps, fasteners, screws, alignment members, etc. thathold the first support portion 200 and the second support portion 202 toone another, adjusting (e.g., rotating) at least one of the firstsupport portion 200 or the second support portion 202 relative to theother support portion, and securing the first support portion 200 andthe second support portion 202 in this new relative orientation, such asby reinstalling, realigning, etc. the snaps, fasteners, screws,alignment members, etc., etc.) to adjust an orientation between theuser's foot 600 (which rests upon the first support portion 200) and thefriction features (which protrude from the second support portion 202)so that the degree of difficulty for the user to move the exercisetraining device 100, 500 relative to the surface 204 (e.g., ground) maybe selectively adjusted.

It will be appreciated that the first side 302 of the first supportportion 200 is not limited to extending substantially parallel to thefourth side 404 of the second support portion 202 and to the surface204. In an example, the first side 302 can be angled so as to improvethe balance of a user. For example, the first side 302 can form an anglewith respect to the surface 204 that is between about 1 degree to about70 degrees. The user can place his/her foot 600 on the angled first side302. When the user moves the exercise training device 100, 500, theangle at which one foot rests may be different than the angle at whichan opposite foot rests. This difference in angles can improve the user'sbalance when moving.

In an example, the first side 302 is not limited to being fixed at anangle. Rather, in an example, the first side 302 and/or the firstsupport portion 200 may be adjustable with respect to the second supportportion 202. For example, the first side 302 can be adjustable between afirst position, in which the first side 302 is substantially parallel tothe fourth side 404 of the second support portion 202 and to the surface204, and a second position, in which the first side 302 can form theangle with respect to the surface 204 that is between about 1 degree toabout 70 degrees. As such, the exercise training device 100, 500 canallow for both use in a substantially flat orientation (e.g., the firstposition), and in a non-flat orientation (e.g., the second position).

It will be appreciated that while the figures illustrate possibledimensions of the first support portion, the second support portion, thethird support portion, etc., these dimensions are merely exemplary andnot intended to be limiting. The example dimensions merely illustratepossible dimensions of the first support portion, the second supportportion, the third support portion, etc. In these examples, the firstsupport portion, the second support portion, the third support portion,etc. may have a range of dimensions.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those ofordinary skill in the art may better understand various aspects of thepresent disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciatethat they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis fordesigning or modifying other processes and structures for carrying outthe same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of variousembodiments introduced herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art shouldalso realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may makevarious changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood thatthe subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited tothe specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specificfeatures and acts described above are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing at least some of the claims.

Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. The order inwhich some or all of the operations are described should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are necessarily orderdependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated having the benefitof this description. Further, it will be understood that not alloperations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.Also, it will be understood that not all operations are necessary insome embodiments.

It will be appreciated that layers, features, elements, etc. depictedherein are illustrated with particular dimensions relative to oneanother, such as structural dimensions or orientations, for example, forpurposes of simplicity and ease of understanding and that actualdimensions of the same differ substantially from that illustratedherein, in some embodiments.

Moreover, “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, illustration, etc., and not necessarily as advantageous. Asused in this application, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. In addition, “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims are generally be construed to mean“one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to bedirected to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B and/or thelike generally means A or B or both A and B. Furthermore, to the extentthat “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used,such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising”. Also, unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” orthe like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect,an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers,names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a firstelement and a second element generally correspond to element A andelement B or two different or two identical elements or the sameelement.

Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respectto one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modificationswill occur to others of ordinary skill in the art based upon a readingand understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Thedisclosure comprises all such modifications and alterations and islimited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regardto the various functions performed by the above described components(e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure. In addition, while aparticular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise training device comprising: a firstsupport portion extending along a first plane that is substantiallyparallel to a surface upon which the exercise training device issupported, the first support portion defining: a first side that isconfigured to support a user, the first side having a first coefficientof friction; and a second side located opposite the first side; a secondsupport portion extending along a second plane that is substantiallyparallel to the first plane, the second support portion defining: athird side that is attached to the second side of the first supportportion; and a fourth side, located opposite the third side, that is incontact with the surface upon which the exercise training device issupported, the fourth side having a second coefficient of friction thatis less than the first coefficient of friction; wherein, in response toa force applied by the user to the first side along a direction that isparallel to the first plane, the fourth side is configured to move withrespect to the surface.
 2. The exercise training device of claim 1,wherein the second support portion defines a first wall, which extendsalong the second plane, and a second wall, which extends in a directionperpendicular to the second plane.
 3. The exercise training device ofclaim 2, the second wall attached to an edge of the first wall, andextending along a perimeter of the first wall, the second wall defininga support opening.
 4. The exercise training device of claim 3, whereinthe first support portion is received within the support opening of thesecond support portion.
 5. The exercise training device of claim 1, thefirst side of the first support portion comprising an elastomericmaterial having the first coefficient of friction.
 6. The exercisetraining device of claim 1, the fourth side of the second supportportion comprising a polyethylene material having the second coefficientof friction.
 7. The exercise training device of claim 1, wherein anouter edge of the fourth side defines an angle with respect to thesecond plane that is between about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees.
 8. Anexercise training device comprising: a first support portion extendingalong a first plane that is substantially parallel to a surface uponwhich the exercise training device is supported, the first supportportion defining: a first side that is configured to support a user, thefirst side having a first coefficient of friction; and a second sidelocated opposite the first side; a second support portion extendingalong a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane,the second support portion defining: a third side that faces the secondside of the first support portion; and a fourth side, located oppositethe third side, that is in contact with the surface upon which theexercise training device is supported, the fourth side having a secondcoefficient of friction that is less than the first coefficient offriction; a third support portion extending along a third plane that issubstantially parallel to the first plane, the third support portiondefining: a fifth side that is attached to the second side of the firstsupport portion; and a sixth side that is attached to the third side ofthe second support portion; wherein, in response to a force applied bythe user to the first side along a direction that is parallel to thefirst plane, the fourth side is configured to move with respect to thesurface.
 9. The exercise training device of claim 8, the first side ofthe first support portion comprising an elastomeric material having thefirst coefficient of friction.
 10. The exercise training device of claim8, the fourth side of the second support portion comprising apolyethylene material having the second coefficient of friction.
 11. Theexercise training device of claim 8, the third support portioncomprising a metal material that has a higher degree of rigidity thanthe first support portion and the second support portion.
 12. Theexercise training device of claim 8, first support portion defining afirst opening, the second support portion defining a second opening, andthe third support portion defining a third opening.
 13. The exercisetraining device of claim 12, wherein the first support portion, thesecond support portion, and the third support portion are configured toreceive a fastener through the first opening, the second opening, andthe third opening to attach the first support portion, the secondsupport portion, and the third support portion to one another.
 14. Theexercise training device of claim 8, wherein the first support portion,the second support portion, and the third support portion havesubstantially the same cross-sectional size and shape.
 15. An exercisetraining device comprising: a first support portion extending along afirst plane that is substantially parallel to a surface upon which theexercise training device is supported, the first support portiondefining a first opening, the first support portion defining: a firstside that is configured to support a user, the first side having a firstcoefficient of friction; and a second side located opposite the firstside; a second support portion extending along a second plane that issubstantially parallel to the first plane, the second support portiondefining a second opening, the second support portion defining: a thirdside that faces the second side of the first support portion; and afourth side, located opposite the third side, that is in contact withthe surface upon which the exercise training device is supported, thefourth side having a second coefficient of friction that is less thanthe first coefficient of friction; wherein the first support portion andthe second support portion are configured to receive a fastener throughthe first opening and the second opening to attach the first supportportion and the second support portion to one another, and wherein, inresponse to a force applied by the user to the first side along adirection that is parallel to the first plane, the fourth side isconfigured to move with respect to the surface due to the secondcoefficient of friction.
 16. The exercise training device of claim 15,the first side of the first support portion comprising an elastomericmaterial having the first coefficient of friction.
 17. The exercisetraining device of claim 15, the fourth side of the second supportportion comprising a polyethylene material having the second coefficientof friction.
 18. The exercise training device of claim 15, wherein thefirst support portion and the second support portion have substantiallythe same cross-sectional size and shape.
 19. The exercise trainingdevice of claim 18, wherein the first support portion and the secondsupport portion have a circular shape.
 20. The exercise training deviceof claim 15, wherein an outer edge of the fourth side defines an anglewith respect to the second plane that is between about 20 degrees toabout 70 degrees.